University Faculty Meeting Minutes

August 24, 2005

Dr. Leo McGee, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, called the opening faculty meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2005, in Derryberry Hall Auditorium. Dr. McGee welcomed everyone to campus and made introductory remarks.

Reports

Dr. David Larimore, President of the Faculty Senate, explained that the Faculty Senate is an informal structure for ensuring faculty participation and a voice in matters of concern to faculty, as well as an alternate means of communication to the administration. He encouraged faculty to become involved and to visit the TTU Faculty Senate web site.

Dr. Kristin Walker, President of the TTU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, stated that AAUP is an advocate for preserving tenure and ensuring academic freedom and shared governance. AAUP is an advocate for all faculty—tenured, tenure-track, specific term, and graduate students—and membership is open to all. She announced that AAUP meetings are held on Thursdays at 11 a.m., with the first meeting to be held on September 1 in the University Center.

Professor Ray Jordan, President of the TTU chapter of the Tennessee Education Association, invited faculty members to join NEA, TEA, and the local organization. Professor Jordan said that NEA has been the champion for higher education faculty and staff for 147 years. He mentioned several of the benefits of TEA membership and encouraged the faculty to join.

Introduction of New Administrators

Professor Rebecca Tolbert introduced Mr. Lester McKenzie, the new Financial Aid Director and Tech alumnus.

Introduction of New Faculty

Provost Barker welcomed and introduced by college new tenure track faculty and new faculty members with term appointments. (List attached to the file copy of the minutes.) He also made announcements related to several academic units.

Recognition of Newly Tenured and Promoted Faculty

Dr. Barker recognized the newly tenured and promoted faculty members who received tenure and/or promotion effective with the Fall Semester 2005. (See attached list.)

President's Address

President Bell welcomed new and returning faculty to the campus, and noted that this is Tech Pride Week. He announced the recent U.S. News and World Report rankings that recognized Tennessee Tech as one of the “Best Universities in the South” and one of the “Top Public Universities in the South.” Tech was also recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the “Best Southeastern Colleges.”

President Bell recognized several leaders on campus: Dr. David Larimore, President of the Faculty Senate; Dr. Jeff Roberts, Chair, Academic Council; Dr. Paula Hinton, Chair, Administrative Council; and Dr. Mark Stephens, Chair, University Curriculum Committee. Also recognized were award recipients: Dr. Bonita Barger and Dr. Dan Swartling, Outstanding Faculty Awards inTeaching; Dr. Gene Kline, Outstanding Faculty Award in Professional Service; Dr. George Buchan, Kinslow Research Award; Dr. George Buchanan and Dr. David Viera, co-recipients of the Caplenor Faculty Research Award; and Dr. Wayne Leimer, Love Community Service Award.

Presentation of Service Pins

With the assistance of the deans, President Bell recognized 54 faculty members for a total of 1125 years of service to Tech and presented service pins to those in attendance.

Announcements

Professor Tolbert said that the construction on campus is the north loop of the chiller line for enhancement of air conditioning distribution on campus; the south loop was completed this past summer. This part of the construction should be completed in a week, and the construction around the Library and tennis courts should be completed within a month. Professor Tolbert reported that right now head count enrollment is up by 150 over last year, and FTE’s have increased by 76. She said that everyone is working hard to replace the students who left last year in a large graduating class, and she stressed the importance of students’ having a positive experience during SOAR. The Legislature still has not given us the final guidelines for students who lost their Lottery scholarships because of grades, but we will keep the affected students informed. Professor Tolbert extended an invitation to lunch in the Multipurpose Room immediately following the meeting.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m.

Pat Gilbreath, Recorder

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